In This Issue
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At Backs on Burnside, our health care team and whole health approach empowers patients to take part in their own care. Through learning simple wellness practices and participating in regular health maintenance programs, patients partner with us in managing their own well-being.
Your Aching
Head
Knowing the type of headache you have can help you figure out the best way to treat and prevent the pain although the latest research suggests that movement abnormalities in the neck (the kind that chiropractors treat) are often associated with most primary headache types.
The three most common are: |
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- Tension—Many headaches are due to emotional stress and/or poor sitting, standing and sleep posture. Under stress people often unconsciously strain muscles in their eyes, face, neck, shoulders, and/or back, which can cause a dull ache or throbbing in the head.
- Migraines—A smaller percentage of headaches are migraines that are associated with a strong family history, are more common in women and frequently start during the teen years. They may be caused by changes in the brainstem and major nerves and imbalances in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals).The pain can be moderate to severe. Sufferers are often sensitive to certain food or environmental triggers related to light, odor, and sound and may experience nausea and vomiting. Headaches can last from a few hours to several days and may occur several times a month.
- Cervicogenic—Disturbances in spinal movement underlie many types of headaches. Research since the 1990s has identified anatomical connections in the upper cervical spine that provide a basis for these headaches. They present with limited range of motion, stiffness, pain and/or tenderness in the neck and related tissues.
Other types of headaches experienced by some are:
- Cluster—Most common in men, these, often severe headaches, are less common. They often occur at night and are usually located in the eye region. Bouts of frequent attacks may last from weeks to months, usually followed by a remission period that can last for months or even years.
- Sinus—An inflammation in the sinuses, caused by a viral infection (like a cold) or an allergic reaction (such as hay fever), can result in deep, constant pain in the nose, eyes, and cheekbone. Head movement usually intensifies the pain. Sufferers may also experience nasal discharge, fever, and/or facial swelling.
- Hormone—Changing levels of hormones during pregnancy, menstruation and pregnancy can cause headaches in some women. These can resemble tension headaches or the classic migraine. For some women migraines lessen as they reach menopause while for others they intensify.
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Chiropractic Success With Headaches
Because many headaches involve muscle/joint issues, chiropractic manipulation has had good success in alleviating headache pain and frequency. It is especially effective when patients follow up with regular chiropractic and massage wellness visits, therapeutic exercises and stress management practices. Chiropractic care:
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- Realigns structural imbalances in the back, shoulders, and neck that contribute to head pain.
- Increases flexibility and range of motion to alleviate stiff, sore muscles.
- Releases trigger points, areas of hyper-irritable, very tender tissue that can refer pain to the head.
- May help sufferers avoid or decrease pain medication and its undesirable side effects.
Many studies have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care. The September 2002 edition of Spine reported on a study that showed that chiropractic manipulation reduced headache pain referred from the upper spine, neck and upper shoulders when combined with exercise. A 12-month follow-up showed a significant decrease in headache intensity and frequency among the 200 participants. A 2010 clinical trial coordinated by a researcher at the Center for Outcome Studies at the University of Western States in Portland, OR showed statistically significant results with reducing the frequency of headaches by half in groups receiving chiropractic manipulation.
. In the February 2000 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the Chiropractic Research Center of Macquarie University in Australia studied 177 participants who had suffered from migraines for an average of 18 years. Chiropractic manipulation significantly reduced migraine frequency, duration and disability.
Manage Stress with Massage
A therapeutic massage not only feels good, but it is also a great stress reliever for both your body and your mind. Because massage relaxes your muscles and calms your nervous system, it can be very effective in reducing the headache intensity and frequency by:
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- Alleviating sore trigger points which can refer pain to the shoulders, neck and head.
- Relieving muscle spasm/tension in the upper body that lead to headaches.
- Lowering the stress hormone cortisol.
- Increasing “feel-good” endorphins.
- Activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body.
One study on massage treatment for 47 migraine sufferers in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine in August 2006 at the University of Auckland in Australia reported decreases in migraine frequency and lowered anxiety, heart rate and cortisol during sessions. It stated: “The findings provide preliminary support for the utility of massage therapy as a nonpharmacologic (non-drug) treatment for individuals suffering from migraines.”
12 Tips to Prevent Headaches
- Don’t overuse medication—rebound headaches can result when the effects of medication wear off.
- Get regular massages and chiropractic care and consider acupuncture.
- Relieve muscle tension with acupressure. (see the article, "Tension, Pain, and Stiffness in the Neck, plus Headaches" at http://balanceflow.com/stressContents.htm www.balanceflow.com/AcupressureSelfHelpNeck.pdf)
- Practice yoga and/or meditation.
- Keep a food diary to see what triggers migraines, and avoid triggers: aged cheese, red wine, chocolate, MSG, vinegar, soy sauce, yeasted breads, tomatoes and luncheon meats with nitrates.
- Drink plenty of water, and eat small, healthy snacks every 4-6 hours.
- Try using an ice pack on the back of your head and neck for 15–20 minutes.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.
- Take a magnesium supplement, which can help with migraines and menstrual headaches. Herbs such as feverfew and butterbur can help prevent migraines if taken regularly (check with your chiropractor).
- Practice good posture at your desk, and turn your computer off in the evening.
- Get enough sleep and exercise (not too much or too little).
- Seek counseling if you have difficulty managing your stress. See what is offered at counselingonburnside.com
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On Sale Now
Theracanes
No, it’s not a new storm headed for Portland…but a device that helps you apply pressure to treat muscle tension. Its versatility allows you to reach hard to get at hard-to-reach areas in the back and shoulders. The design minimizes stress to your body while you’re applying pressure. Try one out at our reduced price of $35 (regular $38) until April 30th.
Neck & Shoulder Ice Packs
Keep a neck and shoulder ice pack on hand in your freezer when pain strikes and experience cold relief in a design that molds to your neck and shoulders. It’s better than frozen peas. Only $25 (regular $28) until April 30th.
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